The objective of the Epidemiology of VegetAble DisEases (EVADE) program is to provide reliable and robust information to growers and industry to underpin durable management strategies for vegetable diseases caused by fungi and plant-parasitic nematodes in New York.
Research is founded within quantitative epidemiology and disease management, and centers on using the principles of decision theory to underpin the strategic and tactical decisions made by growers to control plant diseases, to minimize crop loss, and improve profitability and productivity. Research outcomes are complementary for translation into reliable management recommendations for conventional and organic vegetable growers.
The program has a strong extension focus and collaborates with broadacre vegetable growers and industry stakeholders to collectively develop and implement management recommendations. The crops we are conducting research on include:
- Table beet (and other Chenopodiaceae such as Swiss chard and spinach)
- Beans (snap, processing baby lima and dry);
- Cucurbits; and
- Onion and garlic (in collaboration with the Hay program).
The diseases we work on are prioritized in collaboration with members of the Cornell Vegetable Extension program, industry, and grower groups.
